In Southeast Asian cultures, time values do differ somewhat from those in many Western countries. In some Southeast Asian countries, especially in cultures that are focused on community and relationships, punctuality may not be as strictly valued as it is in some Western countries. For example, in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, people may prefer to be flexible with their schedules rather than sticking to a strict schedule. The reasons behind this time value are often related to social customs, family values, and the pace of life. In these cultures, relationships and communication are seen as very important and sometimes take precedence over completing agreed items on time. Therefore, being late may be seen as acceptable behavior, especially in informal settings. However, this is not to say that all Southeast Asian countries or all people do not value time. Punctuality is still expected in many business activities and formal situations. Therefore, when interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, it can be helpful to understand and adapt to their time values.